FEATURE FARM: BIGGER AND
BETTER

by Mike Beretta

Those of you involved in ecological or organic farming know
that one of the main obstacles faced in converting from
conventional farming, was your neighbours. Peer pressure is as
alive and kicking in the agricultural community, as it is in the
schoolyard. One of the stigmas attached to organics (and used
regularly by our next door neighbours) is that it can't be done
on a conventional scale. How often do we hear it's for
"hobby" or "part-time" farmers! The farm of
Martin de Groot and Ineke Booy is living proof that an organic
farm can work on a scale considered both conventional and
full-time.

Located about ten minutes south of Harriston, Ontario, the
farm covers 500 acres. All are OCIA certified except the last 30
acres in transition. Martin and Ineke share the workload, but
also have help from their four children. They are currently
milking 55 Holsteins which will be certified by the coming fall,
and their milk will help supply that used for Country Meadow
organic cheeses. The dairy herd provides additional income
through the sale of bred heifers, many of which are sold to the
U.S. and Mexico.

They have also chosen to raise their bull calves for red veal
till about six months of age or 500-550 lbs. This may seem
somewhat of a contradiction within the organic movement. However,
raised in groups on straw bedding and fed organically grown corn,
is a far cry from selling them only days old to a conventional
"vealer." Bull calves are a by-product of the dairy
industry and with the premiums now received for organic milk, it
is high time dairy farmers see these calves as a potential meat
source as well. Martin is quick to point out that there is some
real money in red veal.

Cash crops are also a large part of their operation. Crops
grown include: soybeans, corn (which Martin feels is the easiest
of the bunch to grow organically), spelt, oilseed radish and
sunflowers. The majority of these crops are marketed through
OntarBio, the organic grain co-operative to whom they are also
linked through Ineke's role as vice-president.

Martin and Ineke have been on the farm for fourteen years,
having come straight from Holland where neither were involved in
farming. For the first eight years they worked their land
according to standard conventional methods. Martin feels that it
was the excessive spraying and the increasing inputs that
compelled him to seek an alternative. The main challenges (other
than the neighbours) were the unknowns, such as weeds and
fertility. The first step was convincing themselves it could be
done. Once the initial conversion was accomplished, it was only
through the experience of the past six years that they achieved
their desired end result. Granted, support is essential, and
Martin and Ineke found it through other organic farmers - the
EFAO and OntarBio. Coming to the realization that the whole thing
was possible was their first, and most important step. but
ultimately their convincement was their first and biggest step.

I would not do them justice by writing down their recipe for
success - the ingredients are either hard to come by, or too many
to count. Simply said, they have proven that using a field by
field transition, the conversion of 500 acres is achievable. The
long term or sustainable approach so key to organic farming is no
different on 50 acres than 500. What is different is the ability
to switch quickly according to market trends, since cutting
corners to take advantage of premiums is asking for disaster in
organics. Once established, the rotation (with some room for
variability) dictates the farm's production.

Details such as their crop rotation, or the secret to growing
organic corn are better heard from Martin and Ineke themselves.
Their tour on July 23 will be your chance to do just that, and to
see this conventional sized organic farm. This opportunity is not
only for those of you already convinced, but for some of the
sources of peer pressure around you who still maintain it can't
be done. Besides crop production, Martin's interest in baleage
and rotational grazing will also be discussed. Other aspects of
the farm may also be of interest. Their farm has been involved in
the Ecological Farm Planning program and areas identified as
sensitive have already benefited from measures to enhance
wildlife. Areas along ditches and steep hills have been pulled
out of production and trees and shrubs native to the area have
been planted. Windbreaks are presently being established as well.

Further details and maps will be provided in the next
newsletter, but mark that date down now, N.B. this is different
than scheduled on the annual calendar.